Searching For a Kayak on our Website

Searching for a kayak should can be a difficult task, which is why we’ve given you a ton of ways to narrow down your search on our website. Selecting of the right boat for you involves a number of different aspects besides your personal preference. This means you should not pick out the sleekest, prettiest, shiniest, most ‘tricked out’ boat you see on the rack. You must select a boat that fits your body, your skill level, and your intended use.

The right selection includes considering your height and weight, your skill level, your paddling goals, as well as your budget. These different factors combined will point to the kayak(s) that best suits you. In other words, there is very likely a boat that fits you like a glove. The challenge is finding it!

Frontenac Outfitters’ Kayaks Page online is a great place to start! To provide the best results, the page allows you to search our kayak inventory in a variety of ways; the methods of searching are as follows:

Kayak Types

A brief history of each group is provided with advantages & disadvantages and associated price ranges. This will help you identify a kayak type that fits your requirements. For example, a weekend camper needs the gear capacity of a Sea Kayak, whereas the afternoon paddler may find a Recreational or Day-Touring kayak more suitable).

Kayak Materials

A description of the 3 main materials used to manufacture kayaks today:

Pro’s & con’s of each are reviewed in general terms so you can begin narrowing your choice.

Kayak Companies

We search the globe to offer you the best of the very best. Frontenac Outfitters offers product from 11 Kayak Companies from around the world. We suggest you read about what each Co.’s kayaks can offer you.

Our Kayak Wizard

Our very cool Kayak Wizard will take into account your weight, skill level, and other relevant data to offer you a selection of suitable kayaks based on the information you provided. Try changing your requirements slightly to widen or narrow your selection process.

Kayak Wizard

Welcome to Frontenac Outfitters very cool
‘Kayak Wizard’

Our interface is designed to help you select your perfect kayak based on your size, experience, aspirations and budget. In less than 2 minutes we will help narrow your search by providing you with a number of kayaks that could be a great choice for you.

Once your list of kayaks is on your screen, call us at 613.376.6220 and we’ll happily listen to your needs and then discuss the pros & cons of each model with you.

Better yet, we invite you to experience the superior level of expertise & customer service our On-Water Paddlesports Centre Provides.

We stock Hundreds of the Worlds finest & offer free test paddling of new kayaks & paddling gear 7 Days a Week!Ontario’s Paddlesports Experts, since 1984

Beginner to Intermediate:
Previous kayak skills ‘not required’. Kayaks offer an excellent blend of stability with increased performance. Day tours to multi-day trips in water conditions with some form of shelter normally present

Intermediate:
Previous kayak skills ‘not always essential’. Kayaks provide less initial stability and greater secondary stability. Designed for more aggressive, performance oriented paddlers who will continue to refine skills for years. Day to multi-day expeditions in open water conditions

Intermediate to Advanced:
Prior sea kayak skills ‘a necessity for most’. Kayaks excel in specific areas I.e.: performance, edging, rolling, touring etc. Designed for the most aggressive & skilled paddlers or those with aspirations to be. Day to multi-day expeditions in rough water conditions

Hint: Try changing the Kayak Skill Level up or down a level just to see what model changes come up!

Skeg – Retractable

Rudder

Rudder Optional

Doesn’t Matter

Rudder & Skeg Systems

North American Style Kayaks – Rudders:
A rudder can be a valuable addition to your kayak. When the blade is in the down position, footrests positioned in tracks enable the paddler to turn the rudder from side to side. This devise assists the paddler in steering and going straight. The rudder can also be raised giving the paddler the option to paddle with or without it. Kayaks with rudders are often referred to as ‘North American Style Kayaks’

British Style Kayaks – Retractable Skegs:
A skeg is a retractable fin that drops down from the hull of the kayak near the stern to enhance tracking. Unlike a rudder system a skeg can only be moved up and down (not side to side). When not in use a skeg can be retracted completely within the hull into a watertight skeg box. Although a skeg doesn’t turn left or right, by raising or lowering the skeg, by decreasing or increasing how much of the skeg is in water you can track & steer accordingly. Kayaks with retractable skegs are often referred to as ‘British Style Kayaks’

Hint:
Try choosing one type, then the other type to see our different results

The final step

Come visit our On-Water Paddlesports Centre to discuss your needs and aspirations with the experienced and helpful crew at Frontenac Outfitters. You will find it a pleasant experience. Our team consists of paddlesports enthusiasts and instructors who will take the time to listen to your needs and provide professional, helpful advice in a relaxed environment.

Now The Fun Part

While you’re at our shop, we provide you with a superior purchasing experience by encouraging you to try out a number of kayaks & paddling gear on our own pristine lake. You can’t do that at a downtown store! After all, you wouldn’t buy a $50 pair of pants shoes without trying them on first, and you sure wouldn’t buy a car without at least test-driving a number of them.

Here at Frontenac Outfitters Canoe & Kayak Centre, we are firm believers that you should NOT buy a kayak without test paddling a number of them first. Just because it looks good doesn’t mean it will preform good for YOU. We hope this article aids you in your search for your new kayak, and we look forward to answering any questions that you may have.

Should you have any suggestions or changes to improve it, please call 613.376.6220or email frontenacoutfitters@gmail.com